BLOG.WYCOPARTNERSFORPREVENTION.ORG

Amethyest Initiative

p4p2008 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:18:00 GMT

From www.amethystinitiative.org/:

The Amethyst Initiative began with an invitation extended to John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College and Founder of Choose Responsibility, to speak at a meeting of the Annapolis Group, a group of about 120 liberal arts colleges, in June 2008. In preparing for that presentation, McCardell contacted several Annapolis presidents who were long-time friends to solicit their thoughts about the effects of the 21 year-old drinking age. The group quickly discovered a common desire to reopen public debate over the drinking age and began to frame a statement expressing their views.

The statement as finally drafted does not, by design, prescribe a particular policy change. It does, however, state clearly the signatories' belief that 21 is not working as well as the public may think, that its unintended consequences are posing increasing risks to young people, and that it is time for a serious debate among our elected representatives about whether current public policies are in line with current realities.

The group discussed the possibility that other presidents might agree that 21 has not been an unmitigated blessing and might welcome both the formulation of language to which they could subscribe and the opportunity to join others who are similarly persuaded. They thus began to widen their circle of correspondence and quickly concluded that all presidents and chancellors of all colleges and universities should be invited to join the effort, which now needed a name. And the Amethyst Initiative was born.

Here is their statement:

It’s time to rethink the drinking age:
In 1984 Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which imposed a penalty of 10% of a state's federal highway appropriation on any state setting its drinking age lower than 21. Twenty-four years later, our experience as college and university presidents convinces us that…

Twenty-one is not working

A culture of dangerous, clandestine “binge-drinking”—often conducted off-campus—has developed.
Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students.
Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.
By choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law.

How many times must we relearn the lessons of prohibition?

We call upon our elected officials: To support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21 year-old drinking age.
To consider whether the 10% highway fund “incentive” encourages or inhibits that debate.
To invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol.
We pledge ourselves and our institutions to playing a vigorous, constructive role as these critical discussions unfold.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Partners for Prevention (P4P) supports scientific data that alcohol is detrimental on the brain as it continues to develop and grow until an individual reaches his/her early twenties. We agree that responsible drinking is vitally important and we understand the difficulties of managing college-aged students. We believe, however, that some measures of abstinence from alcohol are helpful as young adult brains continue to develop. We welcome open discussion with college/university officials, with elected officials, with parents and students and with Substance Abuse Prevention agencies all over the US/World.

This is a complex issue. We applaud that the Amethyst Initiative recognizes the difficulties of binge-drinking on college campuses. We hope that the Initiative hears that many Prevention Specialists are interested to participate in this process of some change to lower on-campus alcohol abuse.

WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU....

2008 September National Health Observances

p4p2008 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:56:00 GMT

We wish to make a concerted effort to let you know of some National Health Events that might be of interest to you. Included in the list of events are web site information. We list these Observances as a courtesy to Wyoming County citizens. We try to coordinate our events with those listed, but sometimes, the national organizations do a much better job! If you have questions about the listed event, please contact the national organization.

SEPTEMBER
Healthy Aging Month: info@healthyaging.net; http://www.healthyaging.net

Recovery Month: info.samsha.gov; http://www.recoverymonth.gov

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: http://healthystartaccoc.org

7th-13th: National Suicide Prevention Week: info@suicidology.org; http://www.suicidology.org

9th: FASD Awareness Day: http://www.eccpasa.info

22nd: Family Day: http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/
For Wyoming County: http://www.wycopartnersforprevention.org

Rite-Aid Drug Quiz Show

p4p2008 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:04:00 GMT

Dear DQS Team Member, I wanted to touch base with everyone to let you know that we were fortunate to receive the $500 micro grant that we can use in September to host a pre-season Drug Quiz Show competition. Mr. Hammel and I met at the end of the school year and decided that we would like to hold the event on a Friday evening, September 26th.

My plan is to contact the other middle schools, provided them with the DQS Learning Center information and tips on how to study, for those that are new to the program. The event will include an introduction to the Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show, some sort of dinner &/or snacks (pizza or subs), learning stations, and some form of competition. Details will be hammered out when we know how many students to expect. I think I may have to come up with a manageable number and limit the attendance to a first come first served status.

I welcome any thoughts or ideas you might have about the “Pre-Season DQS Event” or just to saw “hi” and let me know what you’re up to. Have a safe and fun summer!

Mrs. Mills, Youth Prevention Specialist

Welcome

p4p2008 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:34:49 GMT

Welcome to Partners For Prevention Blog. We are in the process of writing of topics that concern substance abuse, gambling, bullying and internet safety. If you have suggestions for us on some topics, please feel free to contact us at info.p4p@wycopartnersforprevention.org.